Charlie Crane

February is Black History Month, but Charlie Crane, 73, doesn't have to read about it, he's experienced it.

He is founding pastor of Greater True Light Baptist Church in west Modesto and chaplain at Hospice House at Samaritan Village in Hughson. He was born in Arkansas when segregation was the accepted way of life and where public facilities bore three signs: "white males," "white females" and "coloreds."

Even when he moved to Modesto in 1960, discrimination was rampant. Blacks "knew their place," Charlie said.
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Living History: Charlie Crane
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He details his life, family, discrimination and faith in his self-published book, "Image of a Black Father" (Xulon Press, $14.99). He sat down with The Bee last week to talk about his experiences. Here's what he said, with excerpts from his book in italics:

Charlie was born in Dumas, Ark., in 1936, the fourth child of St. Clair (Jab) and Cordie Crane. The family eventually would grow to 12 children.

The Cranes lived in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing, and with plenty of cracks in the walls and roof. Charlie especially liked trailing after his dad, his hero throughout his life.
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Charlie and his younger sister Dot were given from an early age what were called house chores, including feeding the chickens, milking the cow twice a day and churning butter once a week.

Pastor Charlie Crane, Consultant PHONE: (209) 551-0700EMAIL: ccrane@projectsuccessacademy.com

Charlie Crane, a winner of this year's CrystalClear Awards, is the retired pastor of Greater True Life Baptist Church in Modesto.

-- Charlie Crane, chaplain at Hospice House in Hughson Ahead of his time

Contact: Charlie Crane mineswatchman7@aol.com

209-524-5843
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LONGWOOD, FL-In Image of a Black Father: Ode to the Sharecropper (paperback, 978-1-60266-657-3; hardcover, 978-1-60266-713-6), author Charlie Crane seeks to provide young African-American men with a clear understanding of how to become Christians. He also hopes to inspire these same young men to become godly fathers, accepting the awesome biblical responsibility of fatherhood. Families across all racial and socio-economic lines are living daily with the harsh reality of absent or uninvolved fathers. Crane hopes to call young men back to the basics of godly living and responsible fatherhood.

Image of a Black Father is the touching story of two men-one black, one white. These men lived the qualities of fatherhood and godliness that Crane wishes to share with his readers. One man was his biological father, a man who showed Crane how to live in a world of adversity while maintaining personal dignity and respect. The other man, his spiritual father, taught Crane how to live and love across racial barriers and not lose his identity. Both of these men etched into his heart the character and image of a father-as he should be. Discover the unique responsibilities and opportunities God has established for fathers in a world that so desperately needs them.

Charlie Crane has a master's degree in Christian education. He is a scholar and teacher of Bible literature and was the founder of Greater True Light Baptist Church, where he served as pastor for 20 years. Crane also established Uncle Charlie's Group Home, a behavior modification program for male teenagers and was director of the home for 12 years. He is chaplain at Community Hospice in Modesto, California.